Non-pneumatic wheel assembly with removable hub

ABSTRACT

A non-pneumatic wheel assembly is provided. More particularly, a non-pneumatic wheel assembly is provided having a removable hub i.e., a hub that may be separated from the remainder of the wheel assembly. The hub may be reused and other portions of the non-pneumatic wheel assembly replaced as needed. In addition, the hub may be constructed from a different material than used for other portions of the non-pneumatic wheel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No.13/391,198 filed Feb. 17, 2012, which is the National Stage ofInternational Application PCT/US2009/55278 filed Aug. 28, 2009, thecontents of each are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a non-pneumatic wheel assembly and,more particularly, to a non-pneumatic wheel assembly having a removablehub whereby the hub may be reused and the non-pneumatic wheel replacedas needed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Non-pneumatic tires and wheels have been disclosed. By way of example,U.S. Pat. No. 7,201,194, which is incorporated herein by reference,describes a non-pneumatic tire. In an exemplary embodiment, thisnon-pneumatic tire includes an outer annular shear band and a pluralityof web spokes that extend transversely across and radially inward fromthe annular band and are connected to a hub. In certain exemplaryembodiments, the annular shear band may further comprise a shear layer,at least a first membrane adhered to the radially inward extent of theshear layer and at least a second membrane adhered to the radiallyoutward extent of the shear layer. Under load, the annular band deformsin the contact area with the ground surface through a mechanism thatincludes shear deformation of the annular band. In addition to theability to operate without a required inflation pressure, the inventionof U.S. Pat. No. 7,201,194 provides advantages that include a moreuniform ground contact pressure throughout the length of the contactarea, which in turn provides performance characteristics similar to apneumatic tire without certain drawbacks of prior non-pneumatic tires.

For non-pneumatic constructions such as e.g., the invention described inU.S. Pat. No. 7,201,194, the web spokes transmit tension forces betweenthe hub and outer annular band. The outer annular band supports a treadportion. By way of example, the web spokes and tread portion can beconstructed from rubber and/or polymer materials that, in certainapplications, may wear or be damaged during the lifetime of the wheel.For constructions where the web spokes or tread portion are permanentlyattached to the hub or integrated permanently into a structure thatincludes the hub, replacement of the web spokes and/or tread portion canrequire discarding the hub as well when the hub would otherwise byreusable. In addition, for certain applications it may be desirable tomanufacture the hub from a different material than used in theconstruction of the web spokes including e.g., a metal construction forthe hub and a polymeric construction for the web spokes. In such case,integral attachment of the hub and the web spokes may be not bepractical or would be undesirable.

Accordingly, non-pneumatic wheel having a removable hub portion would beuseful. A non-pneumatic wheel assembly having a removable hub portionthat may be reused and/or constructed from a different material than theweb spokes or other portions of the wheel would be particularly useful.These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the description that follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be apparent from the description, or maybe learned through practice of the invention.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a non-pneumaticwheel assembly defining axial and radial directions is provided. Thewheel assembly includes an outer annular band providing a load bearingsurface. A plurality of web elements are included for supporting intension a load applied to the wheel. The web elements extend axiallyacross and radially inward from the outer annual band. A plurality ofintersections are integrally formed by the joining of adjacent pairs ofthe plurality of web elements along their radially innermost portion. Ahub is centrally located within the outer annular band and is removablyconnected to the plurality of web elements.

Variations of this exemplary embodiment provide still other embodimentsof the present invention. The intersections may include a plurality ofseats with each seat defined by one of the intersections. Each seat islocated along a radially outward side of one of the intersections. Thehub may include a plurality of pins projecting along the axial directionfrom the hub. Each of the pins is removably received onto one of theseats defined by the plurality of intersections.

Alternatively, the intersections may define a plurality of groove pairswhere each groove pair is defined by one of the intersections. Each suchgroove pair is positioned on opposing sides of the intersection. The hubmay include a plurality of tongues projecting along the axial directionfrom the hub. The plurality of tongues are removably received incomplementary fashion into the plurality of groove pairs.

In another alternative embodiment, the intersections may include aplurality of cylinders oriented longitudinally along the axial directionwith each cylinder formed integrally with a radially innermost portionof one of the plurality of intersections. The hub may then include aplurality of pins projecting along the axial direction from the hub.Each of the pins is removably received into the plurality of cylinders.

In still another alternative embodiment, the intersections may include aplurality of groove pairs with at least two groove pairs being definedby each of the intersections. Each groove pair is positioned on opposingsides of the intersection. In such case, the hub may include a pluralityof tongues projecting along the axial direction from the hub. Theplurality of tongues are removably received in complementary fashioninto the plurality of groove pairs.

In each of the exemplary embodiments set forth above, the hub isremovably attached. This feature allows for replacement of otherportions of the wheel assembly. In addition, because the hub is notintegrally formed with other portions of the wheel assembly, the hub maybe constructed of one or more different materials than used with theother parts of the wheel assembly.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures, in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C represent opposing side views ofthe exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C shows an end view of theassembled non-pneumatic wheel while FIG. 1B shows the opposite end viewwithout a retaining ring for purposes of illustrating certain featuresof the present invention.

FIG. 2A provides an exploded view of another exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 2B provides a perspective view of the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 2A in assembled form. FIG. 2C provides an end view ofthe exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2A albeit without a retaining ring aswill be described below.

FIG. 3A illustrates an exploded view of another exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 3B provides a perspective view and FIG. 3Cprovides an end view of the assembled exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A illustrates an exploded view of another exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 4B provides a perspective view and FIG. 4Cprovides an end view of the assembled exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4Aalbeit without a retaining ring as will be described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a non-pneumatic wheel and, moreparticularly, to a non-pneumatic wheel having a removable hub attachmentwhereby the hub may be reused and the remaining portion of thenon-pneumatic wheel replaced as needed. For purposes of describing theinvention, reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of theinvention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in thedrawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of theinvention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparentto those skilled in the art that various modifications and variationscan be made in the present invention without departing from the scope orspirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or describedas part of one embodiment, can be used with another embodiment to yielda still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the presentinvention covers such modifications and variations as come within thescope of the appended claims and their equivalents. In the descriptionthat follows, the use of same or similar reference numerals identifiesthe same or analogous features.

FIGS. 1A through 1C illustrate an exemplary embodiment of anon-pneumatic wheel assembly 100 of the present invention. FIG. 1Aprovides an exploded view while FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C provide opposite endviews of non-pneumatic wheel assembly 100. The non-pneumatic wheelassembly 100 includes a hub 105, non-pneumatic wheel 110, and aretaining ring 115.

Non-pneumatic wheel 110 is constructed with an outer annular band 120that provides a load bearing surface 125. For example, load bearingsurface 125 may provide the ground contacting portion of wheel 110 orsurface 125 may be equipped with a tread portion if desired. Outerannular band 120 may also include a shear band as described e.g., inU.S. Pat. No. 7,201,194. For example, the shear band may include a shearlayer, at least a first membrane adhered to the radially inward extentof the shear layer and at least a second membrane adhered to theradially outward extent of the shear layer. Under load, the annular banddeforms in the contact area with the ground surface through a mechanismthat includes shear deformation of the annular band.

Non-pneumatic wheel assembly 100 also includes a plurality of webelements 130 for supporting in tension the load applied to wheelassembly 100. As shown in each of the figures, the web elements 130extend inward along radial direction R. As also shown, each web element130 is oriented at an angle from radial direction R, and other anglesmay be used as well. Each web element 130 also extends axially acrossthe width of outer annular band 120. More specifically, each web element130 has the same width along the axial direction A as the outer annularband 120, and other widths may also be applied within the scope of thepresent invention.

As best shown in FIG. 1B, at their radially innermost portion, adjacentpairs of web elements 130 are joined to form intersections 135, whichare uniformly spaced about the circumferential direction C of wheel 210.Each intersection 135 provides a seat 140 along the radially outermostside of intersection 135. For this exemplary embodiment of wheel 210,seat 140 is circular in shape.

Once assembled, hub 105 is centrally located within outer annular band120 and is removably connected to the web elements 130. Morespecifically, hub 105 includes a plurality of pins 145 projecting alongthe axial direction A (FIG. 1A) from the hub 105. Each of the pins 145is removably received onto one of the seats 140 defined by theintersections 135. The circular shape of each seat 140 is similar to thecylindrical shape of each pin 145. During operation, as wheel 110 rollsalong the ground, pins 145 are able to slide relative to seats 140. Thisfreedom of movement may be particularly desirable for certainapplications.

As shown in FIG. 1A, each pin 145 includes a connecting end 150. Tosecure non-pneumatic wheel 110 to hub 105, retaining ring 115 isremovably attached to the connecting ends 150 of pins 145. For example,mechanical fasteners such as bolts may be inserted through apertures 160of retaining ring 115 and connected into threaded apertures 155 of hub105. Apertures 165 provide for connection of hub 105 to e.g., a vehicle.

Importantly, hub 105 is not formed as an integral part of non-pneumaticwheel 110. Accordingly, in the event wheel 110 is damaged or replacementis otherwise desired, non-pneumatic assembly 100 provides for theremoval of wheel 110 from hub 105. In addition, if desired, hub 105 canbe readily constructed from a different material than wheel 110. Forexample, it may be desirable to manufacture hub 105 from a metal andmanufacture wheel 100 from a urethane material, and the presentinvention provides for such constructions.

FIGS. 2A through 2C illustrate another exemplary embodiment of anon-pneumatic wheel assembly 200 according to the present invention. Thenon-pneumatic wheel assembly 200 includes a hub 205 and non-pneumaticwheel 210. A retaining ring similar to ring 115 is used to secure wheel210 to hub 205 in a manner similar to that previously described withwheel assembly 100 and is not shown in the figures for purposes ofclarity in illustrating certain other features of the invention.

Non-pneumatic wheel 210 is constructed with an outer annular band 220that provides a load bearing surface 225. For example, load bearingsurface 225 may provide the ground contacting portion of wheel 210 orsurface 225 may be equipped with a tread portion if desired. Outerannular band 220 may also include a shear band as previously described.

Non-pneumatic wheel assembly 200 also includes a plurality of webelements 230 for supporting in tension the load applied to wheelassembly 200. As shown in each of the figures, the web elements 230extend inward along radial direction R. Each element 230 is oriented atan angle from radial direction R, and other angles may be used. Each webelement 230 also extends axially across the width of outer annular band220—i.e., each web element 230 has the same width along the axialdirection A as the outer annular band 220. However, other widths mayalso be applied within the scope of the present invention.

As best shown in FIG. 2C, at their radially innermost portion, adjacentpairs of web elements 230 are joined to form intersections 235, whichare uniformly spaced about the circumferential direction C of wheel 210.Each intersection 235 defines a pair of grooves 240, and eachintersection 235 includes a groove 240 positioned on circumferentiallyopposing sides of the intersection 235.

Hub 205 is centrally located within outer annular band 220 and isremovably connected to the web elements 230. More specifically, hub 205includes a plurality of tongues 245 (FIG. 2A) projecting along axialdirection A from hub 205. Tongues 245 are removably received incomplementary fashion into the groove pairs 240. Referring to FIG. 2C,each tongue 245 slides into grooves 240 provided by two differentintersections 235 that are adjacent along the circumferential directionC. Compared to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1C, non-pneumaticwheel assembly 200 provides a more rigid connection between hub 205 andwheel 210.

As shown in FIG. 2A, each tongue pin 245 includes a connecting end 250.To secure non-pneumatic wheel 210 to hub 205, a retaining ring (notshown) can be removably attached to the connecting ends 250 of tongues245 using e.g., mechanical fasteners as previously described. Again, asindicated for the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1C, hub 205 is not formed as anintegral part of wheel 210. Apertures 265 allow for connection to avehicle.

Accordingly, in the event wheel 210 is damaged or replacement isotherwise desired, non-pneumatic assembly 200 provides for the removalof wheel 210 from hub 205. As with the embodiment of wheel 100, hub 205can be readily constructed from a different material than wheel 210.

Turning now to FIGS. 3A through 3C, another exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention is provided in non-pneumatic wheel assembly 300. In amanner similar to the previously described embodiments, wheel assembly300 is constructed from hub 305, non-pneumatic wheel 310, and retainingring 315 with features similar to the previously described embodiments.However, wheel assembly 300 differs from the previously describedembodiments by the manner in which hub 305 is removably connected withwheel 310.

More specifically, adjacent pairs of web elements 330 each are eachjoined at an intersection 335 as previously described. At the radiallyinnermost portion of each intersection 335, however, a cylinder 340 isintegrally formed with the intersection 335 and oriented longitudinallyalong the axial direction A. Hub 305 includes a plurality of pins 345projecting along the axial direction A from hub 305. Each of the pins345 is removably received into one of the cylinders 340. Retaining ring315 may be fastened to hub 305 using apertures 355, 360 and mechanicalfasteners as previously described. Again, because wheel 310 is removablyconnected to hub 305, wheel 310 may be readily replaced while hub 305 isreused, and wheel 310 and hub 305 may be constructed of differentmaterials. In a manner similar to non-pneumatic wheel assembly 100,cylinders 340 are slidable with respect to pins 345. A less rigidconnection between the hub and wheel may be more desirable for certainapplications.

FIGS. 4A through 4C provide still another exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention with non-pneumatic wheel assembly 400. As withprevious embodiments, wheel assembly 400 includes a hub 405,non-pneumatic wheel 410, and a retaining ring. For purposes ofillustrating other features of the invention, the retaining ring is notshown. However, such a retaining ring would removably connect e.g., tothreaded apertures in the connecting end 450 of tongues 445 in a manneras previously described.

Wheel 410 includes multiple of intersections 435 formed by the joiningof adjacent pairs of web elements 430 at their radially innermostportion. Intersections 435 are uniformly spaced along thecircumferential direction C of wheel 410. Each of the intersections 435defines at least two pairs of grooves 440 with each groove 440positioned on circumferentially opposing sides of the intersection 435.

Hub 405 includes a plurality of tongues 445 projecting along the axialdirection A from the hub 405. Tongues 445 are removably received incomplementary fashion into the pairs of grooves 440 defined byintersections 435. More particularly, tongues 445 also define multiplegrooves 475 located on each side of tongue 445 and configured forcomplementary or mating receipt with grooves 440. Hub 405 also includesan inner annular band 470 extending between the tongues 445 andconnected to a radially innermost portion of each of tongues 445.

Accordingly, as with previous exemplary embodiments, non-pneumatic wheelassembly 400 provides for the removal or separation of wheel 410 fromhub 405. In addition, the use of multiple grooves 440 alongintersections 435 and tongues 445 provides a more rigid connectedbetween hub 405 and wheel 410 that may be preferred for certainapplications.

While the present subject matter has been described in detail withrespect to specific exemplary embodiments and methods thereof, it willbe appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining anunderstanding of the foregoing may readily produce alterations to,variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, thescope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than by wayof limitation, and the subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion ofsuch modifications, variations and/or additions to the present subjectmatter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the artusing the teachings disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-pneumatic wheel assembly defining axial andradial directions, comprising: an outer annular band providing a loadbearing surface; a plurality of web elements for supporting in tension aload applied to the wheel, said web elements extending axially acrossand radially inward from said outer annual band; a plurality ofintersections integrally formed by the joining of adjacent pairs of saidplurality of web elements along their radially innermost portion, theadjacent pairs of said plurality of web elements circumferentiallyspaced apart at the attachment to said outer annular band, and a hubcentrally located within said outer annular band and removably connectedto said plurality of web elements.
 2. A non-pneumatic wheel assembly asin claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of seats, each said seatdefined by one of said intersections, each said seat located along aradially outward side of one of said intersections, and a plurality ofpins projecting along the axial direction from said hub, each of saidpins removably received onto one of the seats defined by said pluralityof intersections.
 3. A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in claim 2,wherein said plurality of pins each comprise a connecting end, andwherein the non-pneumatic wheel further comprises a retaining ringremovably attached to the connecting ends of said plurality of pins. 4.A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in claim 3, wherein said plurality ofweb elements define a width along the axial direction, and wherein saidplurality of pins extend axially across the entire width of saidplurality of web elements.
 5. A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in claim2, wherein each of said plurality of seats is slidable over a respectivesaid pin.
 6. A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in claim 1, furthercomprising: a plurality of groove pairs, each said groove pair definedby one of said intersections, each said groove pair positioned onopposing sides of a said intersection; and a plurality of tonguesprojecting along the axial direction from said hub, said plurality oftongues removably received in complementary fashion into said pluralityof groove pairs.
 7. A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in claim 6,wherein said plurality of tongues each comprise a connecting end, andwherein the non-pneumatic wheel further comprises a retaining ringremovably attached to the connecting ends of said plurality of tongues.8. A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in claim 7, wherein said pluralityof web elements define a width along the axial direction, and whereinsaid plurality of tongues extend axially across the entire width of saidplurality of web elements.
 9. A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in claim1, further comprising: a plurality of cylinders oriented longitudinallyalong the axial direction, each cylinder formed integrally with aradially innermost portion of one of said plurality of intersections;and a plurality of pins projecting along the axial direction from saidhub, each of said pins removably received into said plurality ofcylinders.
 10. A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in claim 9, whereinsaid plurality of pins each comprise a connecting end, and wherein thenon-pneumatic wheel further comprises a retaining ring removablyattached to the connecting ends of said plurality of pins.
 11. Anon-pneumatic wheel assembly as in claim 10, wherein said plurality ofweb elements define a width along the axial direction, and wherein saidplurality of pins extend axially across the entire width of saidplurality of web elements.
 12. A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as inclaim 9, wherein each of said plurality of cylinders is slidable about arespective said pin.
 13. A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in claim 1,further comprising: a plurality of groove pairs, at least two saidgroove pairs defined by each of said intersections, each said groovepair positioned on opposing sides of a said intersection; and aplurality of tongues projecting along the axial direction from said hub,said plurality of tongues removably received in complementary fashioninto said plurality of groove pairs.
 14. A non-pneumatic wheel assemblyas in claim 13, wherein said hub further comprises an inner annular bandextending between and connected said plurality of tongues and connectedto a radially innermost portion of each of said plurality of tongues.15. A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in claim 14, wherein saidplurality of tongues each comprise a connecting end, and wherein thenon-pneumatic wheel further comprises a retaining ring removablyattached to the connecting ends of said plurality of tongues.
 16. Anon-pneumatic wheel assembly as in claim 13, wherein said plurality ofweb elements define a width along the axial direction, and wherein saidplurality of tongues extend axially across the entire width of saidplurality of web elements.
 17. A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as inclaim 1, wherein said outer annular band further comprises a shear band.18. A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in claim 1, wherein said pluralityof web elements extend radially inward at an angle from a radialdirection from said outer annual band.